The Great Horned Owl

The Great Horned Owl is one of the most common owls in North America.  It's nocturnal, which means it sleeps during the day and hunts at night.   It mainly diets on birds and rodents, but is fast, aggressive, and can take down prey larger than itself, such as falcons, ospreys, and even other owls.  It has a large deep hooting sound, and many evenings I hear the pair talking back and forth in the woods at our home.   

This guy didn't fly off, but instead just sat

 there while I took the photo.

The hole in this tree could be the nest!

This mom and her owlet I photographed in Nevada, preferred to be sleeping during the day, but kept her sharp eyes open while I was near.  The owlet seemed to like watching me! 

This is a juvenile, and its sibling (below) were both bright eyed

as they peek around the leaves to see me.  (Eastern Oregon)

Juvenile Owl in Eastern Oregon

This juvenile still has quite a bit of its soft white fur!

This owl was spending the daytime in these beautiful Aspen trees in Nevada.  I can't imagine getting much sleep along  the high traffic pathway where he was perched!

This picture was taken at dusk, so it is quite poor.  But what I love, is this juvenile Great Horned Owl sitting on the gable of our shop roof, crying for his mom in a loud screeching sound (which was not anything close to a hoot) but which is typical when they are hungry.  Mom must have been out hunting for food for her young!

This was taken at dusk at my house which was quite a distance away.  I love the massive Yellow Jacket nest on the right of the picture, and the beautiful owl on the left.

I never get tired of searching out, and spotting these magnificent birds.

Happy Birding!

Birding in June and July

Summer is a busy time, and it's sure been flying by!  Here are some of my favorite shots I took while I was out birding in June and July.

Warbling Vireo in her little nest.

Juvenile Great Horned Owl

Juvenile Great Horned Owl

Downy Woodpecker

Juvenile American Robin



Red-Tailed Hawk

Sage Thrasher

Wrentit



Coopers Hawk

A 2nd Coopers Hawk flew in

Violet Green Swallow

MacGillivray's Warbler



Dark-eyed Junco

Along the way I saw some beautiful wild flowers and tiny insects,

as well as a cute little chipmunk.

Even though I wasn't birding when I took this last shot, it's one of my favorites this summer.  I took this at 11:00 pm with the half moon as my only light, at Dee Wright Observatory near Sisters Oregon.   




Dee Wright Observatory - Lava Beds

Happy Birding!

 

Nesting

March was the month for nesting!  Around town, I saw several pretty cool bird nests as I was out and about.

 

The White-breasted Nuthatch are quite the quick bird.  I enjoyed watching this little guy go in and out of his nest.  They like to eat the seeds of acorns and other larger sized nuts.

 

White-breasted Nuthatch and the tiny little nest in the tree

 

 

 

 

White-breasted Nuthatch

 

The Great Blue Heron is the largest of all Herons. I've seen quite a few in Oregon over the last several months, but it wasn't until this month that I learned these beautiful birds nest high in trees.  I guess it only makes sense!

 

Great Blue Heron in their nest in the trees



Great Blue Heron with lunch

Could this Anna's Hummingbird be any cuter in her teeny, tiny, nest?  

Anna's Hummingbird in her nest

 

Another treat was the Great Horned Owls sitting high in the tree in their nest with their young.  Unfortunately I couldn't get any closer because of the property owners fencing, but I would have liked to!  These protective birds are known to attack humans if you get too close to their nest, so it was actually good that I didn't cross the fence! 

 

Great Horned Owls with their "cat-like" ears are one of the most common owls in North America and one of the largest. They also are amazing hunters.  They eat rabbits, skunks, and other small to medium sized animals.  They are also known to eat large birds such as Canadian geese, ducks, and herons.  They are most active at night.

 



Great Horned Owl 



Great Horned Owl with the baby peeking through the branches

 And finally the grand-daddy of all, the Bald Eagle nest. Watching these magnificent birds flying in and out of their massive nest is a sight to be seen.

  

Eagles return to the same nest for years, and add more to it every year.
This nest is about 7 years old.

 

Last look at the eggs before taking off

 

Taking off

 

Heading back

 

 

Enjoying the top of the world!